Check-writing machine



c. H. SAMPSON.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE. \PPLICATION FILED SEPT-8'; 19:5.

1,309,37 l ilti'vmm'l July t5; lJi'r).

B SHEETS-SHEET 1i INVENTOH C. H. SAMPSON.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEFfT-B. 191.5.

1 ,30 9,37 1 Patented J ul y 8, 1919.

8 SHEETSSHEET 2.

, INVENTOR C. H. SAMPSON.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.B, 1915.

Patented J my 8, 1919.

a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

'C. H. SAMPSON.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATJON FILED SEPT-8. m5.

309,37 1 Patented July 8, 1919 8 SHEETS-SHEET 4 v Will $264 %*7% c. H. SAMPSON. CHECK WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-8,1915- Patented July 8, 1919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5- c H. SAMPSON. CHECK WRITING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 3.1!]!5- Patented July 8, 1919.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6- INVENTOR TTORI'IEY C. H. SAMPSON.

' CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.-8,1915.

l ,809, 3? l Patented July 8, 1919.

8 SHEETS SHEET 7- is lllll|- gi\;

E; 5 g 2 Z "1. .7 L a 1\ c. H. SAMPSON. CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8.19I5.

Patented. July 8, 1919.

8 SHEETSSHEET 8.

'rnn sra'rns T FEECE.

' CHARLES H. SAMPSON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS; T0 TODD PROTEGTOGFAPH COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CHECK-WRITING MAcHrNE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ol e, 1919.

Application flled s eptember 8, 1915. Serial No. 49,429.

ing drawings.

The present invention relates to printing apparatus, andmore particularly to printing machines, known as check writers, in which a plurality of type forms representing words of varying length are suc cessively impressed upon the Work, the latter being fed between the successive impressions variable distances corresponding to the lengths of the words printed.

One object of this invention is to provide a machine of this type capable of performing the functions usual in such ma- .chines in an effective andconvenient manner, and at the same time characterized by i a construction which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

, .Another object of the invention is to provide a construction in which it will be impossihl'eatosmoveathe feeding devices, with out effectinga complete forWard and -return movement of the v operating member, which also effects the relative movementbetweennthe printing member and the platen;

so that it willbe impossible to manipulate mth e machine either purposely or unintentionally to produce an unequal spacing between the words. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide, a centering device adapted to center and lock the printing member against rotation-while the relative movement is taking place between the platen and the printing member for elfectlng the printing operation, and, at the same time, adapted to act asa brake on the printing member to prevent a too free movement of the latter while it is being shifted to present a line of type'to the printing point.

To these and other ends, the inventionconsists in certain parts-and combinations of parts all of which will be hereinafter described, thenovel features being pointed out in the appended claims;

In the drawings; 1 Figure '1 is a p an view of a machine embodym'g the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same machine;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine with y the top portion of the casing removed to show the interior parts;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line aa, Fig. 4; 6 is a section on the line b--?), Fig. 4:; F 1g. 7 is a section on the line 0-0, Fig. 5; Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of the mechanism"whieh controls the movement of the operating lever to prevent the shifting of the latter in an opposite direction until it reaches the ends of its movement; Fig. 10 is a view similar'to Fig. 7 showmg the position of the parts of the machine wfiilei the platen is engaging the printing w ee Fig: 11 is a detail view showing the operaframe having a reduced extension 2 at its rear and awork supporting plate 3 secured "to,;. tl 1e top thereof in front of the reduced portion 2. Secured to the upper side of the reduced portion 2 is a frame iwli'ich" projectsover the work support 3 in slightly spaced relation to thelatter in order to form a forwardly opening slot in the Inawith serrations or grooves in their 1 faces for cooperation w1th' a similarly-formchine frame as a Whole. The bottom of this overhanging portion isclosed by a plate 45* whichis. formed with a-slot 4' reached. The

mem-

through which the printing Wheel may be], position of the work on the work support 3" may be determined by a.

stop or gage 5 which is moved forwardly and rearwardly by a rotary member 6 hav-I" injga gear not shown connected thereto and meshin with a rack 7 on the gage 5 all of which is described in Patent No. 1,141,270

grani' to me on the first da of June, 1915.

The printing member is preferably in the form of a wheel" 8 having lines, of type 9 periphery thereo the type being provided printing e'd platen face to shred-the pa-per during the of different len hs pro ecting from the.

printin operation, as disclosed in U. Letters atent- No.'793,2l9, granted to L. Todd, June 27, 1905.

and are uniformly spaced from each other circumterentially thereof. As shown in Fig. l, the characters on the type wheelare arranged with the beginning of the characters in alinement with each other circumferentially of the wheel.

representsa difl'erent word and the words are so selected that combinations of them can be made for writing any amount within two limits in the body of a check or.other negotiable instrument. In the present instance, the wheel 8 is rigidly secured to a sleeve 10 which turns on a fixed bearing piii 11 secured in the overhanging portion. For turning the printing wheel to position any line of type over the printino point, the wheel has a pinion 12 integral therewith and secured to a stub shaft 14 mounted to .tll!

- engaged by a pinion 13 which is "rigidllyl in the casing frame 4 above the pin 11 and parallel with the axis ofthe printing wheeli- Arranged on this stubshaft on the exterior of the casing is a dial wheel 15 having a dial 16 thereon for cooperation with an 1n-- dex or pointer 17 arranged on the casing. A thumb wheel 18 fits on the reduced portion of the dial wheel 15, and both parts are held to the stub shaft 14 by a washer 19 and a screw 20.

.The printing member may be inked in any suitable manner, but, in this instance, two ink rollers 21 and 22 cooperate therewith at substantially diametrically opposite points,

' these rollers being carried'by plates 23 and 24 respectively removably secured in place by a means which does not iorm any part of the present invention.

,F or coopei'atioirwitli the type whcclor prlntin preferably having its impression surtace' me mber', a platen 25 is provided provided with serrations or grooves'similar to those on the type and adapted forintermeshing cooperation therewith. This platen is designed to move through a slot 26 in the work supporting plate 3 and through J the slot 4 in order to cooperate witli,.the line of typeon the printing wheel over the printing point.-

Preferably', this platen is adjustably mounted: on the forward end of a lever 27 which is pivoted at 28 on segmental bearings below the work supporting plate 3 and extends rearwardly into the re-. 'duced portion 2 of the hollow base. ,For. operating'th is platen carrying lover, a link. 29 is pivotally connected-at 30 to the rea'r end of'the lever and isfalso pivotally and eccentrically connected at 31 to a crankplate 32 that is rigidly secured t'o'a sleeve, 33

pinned at 34: to an operating shaft 35, thelat'ter being journaled in the .frame above the reduced portion Qofthe base and ex- The type lines are parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel Each line preferably.

tending to the exterior of; the casing where it is provided with an operating handle or member 36. A spring 37 is anchored at one end at 38 tothe casing and at itsother end at 39 to the crank plate 32, this sprin serving .to return the platen to its norma position away from the printing member afterthe printing action has been completed.

To the end that the printing-wheel will not move too freely, and at the same time will be centered and lockedin printin po'siend 43 and the teeth being such that the slide or centering device yields duringthe rotation of the prlnting wheel and acts as a.

7 inginstrumentalities are (provided. To t he wheel 4018 00111:

brake on'such rotation. I The other end of thisslide is adapted to be engaged by a 'y elding'ly mountddldevice' 45 pressed outwardlywithin the housing 46 by ,sprin 47, the housing 46 .being eccentricallyscarrie by. an arm 48 which is rig'i ly seculed'to thesleeve 33-on the shaft 3 5. 'During-the rotation of the printihgwheel to; position any line of type thereon at printing point',,'

the yielding device 45 on the operating shaft lies out .of cooperative relation with the centering device 41 but shortly after the shaft 35 starts to turn" to move the platen towardthe printing member, the device 45 engages the outer end of the slide 11 and,

in this way,--places still greater tension on the slide 4:1 thereby causln the latter to exert greater pressure on the whcel40 so that the tapered end 43' of the slide 41 acts to center thc printing member. Later'the pressure increases to such an extent that finally the slide 41 is held firmly against the toothed member 40, thus locking-the member and the printing wheelagainst any movement whatsoever until the platen is moved away from theprin'ting' member.

The work is fed after eachprinting operation a distance corresponding in lengtb to the word or t pe line previously printed, plus a smallristance to provide a small, uniform spacing between adjacent words. In this instance, this feeding mechanism embodies a pair of roughened faced feed wheels 49 which operate through the work I are mounted UPOII/tl. common supportin plate" 3'fin rearbf'the platen and 'whlc shaft 5,0 journaled in the base frame at 51. This shaft also has arranged thereon a ratchet wheel '52- which is pin'ned t shaft at 53. Alsoturmng on the shaft:

is a swinging member '-l which carries a witho ,operati the latter, its movement in this direction eing limited by a variable means presentl to be described. When the swinging mem er 54 rotates in the other d i rection, the pawl 55 en ages the ratchet 52 and turns the latter wit 1 the'feed wheels,

itsmovement in this direction being limited by contact with a stop pin 55. For operating this swinging member 54, a link 56 is pivotallyconnectedthereto at 57 and is also 'pivotally connected at 58 to an arm 59 which is secured to an oscillatory member or sleeve .60 that turns on the operating shaft '35. The link 56 is resiliently connected to -the .Z link 29 of the platen operating mechanism with the length of the word previously v by'a' spring 61, which forms a 'ieldable means for nnpartin movement rom the platen'operating mec anism to theopawl 55 to. produce the idle movement of the latter referred toiabove. To the end that the movement of the feeding devices will be variable to correspond printed, there is provided a stop or gage member 62 integralnwith the sleeve 10 so .that its axis is common to that" of the rotary printing member 8' and so that it turns with the rotary printing member. members has a pluralit of stopshou'lders thereon one correspon ing to each of the lines of type on the printing member and each shoulder is arranged at a radial dis tance from the axis of the member which is inversely roportional to the length of the corresponding type form. For coiiperation with this stop or gage member, controlling meansis provided preferably in the form of a ,slide 63 guided on the bracket42 and adaptdto coiiperate at oneend with the stop orgage member, its other end being pivotally connected at 64 with a link 65 that in turn is pivoted 'at 66 to an arm 67 which extends laterally from the sleeve 60. The stop shoulders are so arranged that when a line oftyp'e is brought to printing position go -thovcorresponding sto shoulder is moved vto pos tion for contact with the slide 63. g

In this .way, when the platen operating .me'cha'nism is operated to move the platen toward the printing wheel, this mechanism transmits motion by means of the'spring 61 tothe link 56 which not only turns the op-- crating member '54 but also turns the oscillatory sleeve 60, shifting the slide 63 into engagement with one o "60 [stop member 62-after which the movement the stops on the f theiink 56 is stopped the spring 61 yields, an'd the platen operating mechanism continues to move the platen toward the printing member. Upon the return of the platen after making an impression, the slide This stop.

63 moves out of contact with the stop memer 62 andthe operating member 54 shifts t 1e feeding devices by a positive action to feed the work due-tothe fact that the crank plate 32 is provided with an abutment 78 which codperates with an abutment 79 on the oscillatory sleeve 60. The operation of these parts is so timed that the pawl "is first set to its variable position for starting the feeding movement, the platen then retracted to release the work, and finally the pawl 55 actuated to move the feeding wheels v 49. The gage is so designed that for each line of type printed the work is fed a distance of correspondinglength plus a small additional distance to provide a space between adjacent words.

For coiiperation with the feeding devices there may be, provided a clamping or holding member comprising a lever 68 having'a ortion extending on the exterior ofthe casing and carrying at its other end a roller 69 which is pressed into engagement with the feeding wheels 49 by a sprlng 70. The work is released from or presented to the feeding device by depressing the outer end of this lever.

Unless some means were provided for preventing such action, a partial movement-of the operating crank 36 would effect an actuation of the feeding mechanism without prodiiiiiiig an impression. In order to prevent such partial or incomplete. actuation of the operating crank, the following.in-

ing'ly holds the pawl in either one of two positions depending upon theposition to which it is tripped. For tripping the pawl alternately in opposite directions, two trip devices 77 are arranged on the crank plate 32 at opposite ends of the toothedportion 71, these trip devices operating topresent;

alternately the noses 7 3 to the'toothed por' tion so that when the operating member is moving in one direction, it will be held against rotation inthe other direction until the end of its movement has been reachedwhen the pawl will be shifted to permit movement in the other direction only.

The operation of the invention will be understood from the foregoing be sumnmrized as follows:

The finger wheel 18 is turned to present the prop r line of type to the printing point. This also sets the stop wheel 62 which determines the length ofthe feed of but it may the feeding devices. The depression of the.

lever 36 turns'the shaft 35 to swing the platen carrying lever 27 so that the platen '25 .cooperates with the line of type at-Hthe print-ing point. Before the platen engages the printing line, the spriu 61 transmits to set the'latter "in? position to advance the -work after ,the platen moves away from the printing member.

stop member 62 and determines the amount of movement of the operating member'ol. Upon the return movement of the platen operating mechanism under the action of j the spring '37, the operating member 54 moves shift the work a distance corresponding to the length ofthc word printed and the partsassume-the r normal positions ifeady forjanother operation. The operat-' ing member 36 is compelled to he moved to the limit of its motion in each direction he fore, it canfmake a return motion as the pawl 72 cooperates with the toothed portion 71 and prevents any return movement.

A check writ-in machine constructed in accordance with t iis invention is simple in its operation and inexpensive to manufac-v ture. The parts employed for producing the functions of the machine have. been re- ,duced toa minimum and the construction of these parts is such-that machine work thereon has been materially reduced. A

c single devicefa cts" as a brake on the printbig wheel, and; at the. same time, is utilized for locking said printing wheel against movement while the platen operating mech-' anism is operated. 'The feeding devices and the platen operating mechanism are so connected that t is impossible to operate the i feedingdevices without causing the platen tom a e withthen'intin member. "Vhile n l a the invention has. been'illustrated in a, m'af chine in wlnchthe platen moves toward the -pjrinting wheel, itfwill be understood that certainof'the features are not limited to tl'iisiconstructlon but may be used in any construction in which there is a printing couple such as a printing member and a platen.

to secure by Letters 1.. Ina printing apparatus, the

What I claimas my invention and desire atent is:

combination'of a type carrier rotatable to bring types ofv various lengths, selectively, to printing position; a platen for successive cooperation with said types; variable feeding means cknnprising a gage, a device adapted to rock abont an axis parallel with that of said carrier, a sliding contact mem- -.ber for cooperation with said gageliaving a"l i nkcon ncction with said rocking device for actuation thereby, a member adapted-to" engage the work and having a connection with; saidflrocking member for actuation thereby; and an operating means forjefiect-i mg a, relative printing niovementofi said.

V At the same time. the slide 63 moves into cooperation with the y mechanism, for fee wtgol the' platen actuation of said feeding means corresponding to each impression.

carrier and platen and for producing an' 2. In a rintin a naratus the combina- =tion of a type carrier rotatable to bring types of various lengths, selectively, to

printing position; a platen "fOl' successive cooperation with sa d types; I an operating shaft; means connected with said shaft for effecting a relative printingmovement of they carrier and platen; a gage connected with sa d carrier for adJuSt-ment therewith; a device controlled in one direction by ongageinentwitli said gage; means inengage:

ment with the. work for feeding the latter and having a connection with sai trolled device; and means connects, with said shaft for effecting yieldably a mov'e'-.

.con-

ment' of said device until stopped by said J gage and for efl'ect-ing a positive movement of-said device in the OPPOSItG ClIIQCt IOII to feed the work. Y

3. In a check writing machine, the conibi-y nation with a casing havinga forwardly opening slot, of a printingmember mounted in the casing above the slot, a. plateni'nount- -i ed in the casm platen at its forward end,'.'a, horizontally arranged -sshaft sup orted by the casing above and in rear '0 the slot, a link eccenoneof which ismovable toward am .from the'other to eifect the printing, of o'erats below the'slot, a lever'pivoted between its ends and carrying the ing 'mechanism'for effecting such re ative movement embodying an oscillatory operating shaft having. connection with each movable Part, and variable feeding mechanism for feeding the work relatively to the platen and thexprinting member embodying gaging means moving with the printing memw her, a feeding member, a member coii' craft: ing with the gaging means, anoscil atory ing shaft and having aratchet connection with the feeding member and a connection with the member that cotiperates with. the

gaging means, and a resllient connection .1 -1nember mounted on the oscillatory operat-.

between the operating'inechanisni and the v feeding mechanism. 5. In a check'writ nation with a printin movable toward the p efl'ecting the. printing nism for -'efiecting an ing an oscillator and the printing member and member, a member cooperating with the stop shoulders, an oscillatory member mounte to turn about an axis common to that of the oscillatory shaft and having a ratchet connection with the feedino member and a connection with the member that cooperates with the stop shoulders, and a resilient conanism and the feeding mechanism.

6..In a check writing machine, the COIIlblnation w1th a printing member and a platen movable toward and from the printin memher for effecting the printing, of mec anism for effecting such movement embodying an oscillatory shaft, variable feeding mechanism for. feeding the work relatively to the platen and the printing member and embodying aging means movin with the printing mem er, a feeding mem er, a member 00- operating with the gaging means, and an oscillatory member mounted to turn on theoscillatory shaft and having a ratchet connectionwith the feeding member and a connection with the member that cooperates with the gaging means, and a resilient connection between the platen operating mecha, .nism and the feeding mechanism.

7. In a check writing machine, the combination with a printing member anda platen movable toward the printing member for effecting the printing, of operating mechanism for effecting such movement embodynation with a casing a printi 'slot and avin a plurality of lines of type ing an oscillatory shaft and a spring for returning the shaft to normalposition, variable feeding mechanism forfeeding the work relatively to the platen and the printing member and embodying ga ing means movable with the printing mem 'er, a feeding member, a slide for cooperating with the gaging means, and an oscillatory member mounted on-the oscillatory shaft and having a link connection with the slide, said oscillatory member also having a ratchet con-' nection with the feeding member, a resilient connection between the platen operating mechanism and the feeding mechanism to set the feeding mechanism in position to feed the work as the platen is moved toward the printing member,'and abutments carried by the oscillatory shaft and the oscillatory member by which the spring operates the feeding mechanism. 8.; In a check writing machine, the combinatlon with a printing member and a platen movable toward the printing member foreifectingthe printing, of operating mechanism for efiecting such movement embodying an oscillatory shaft, variable feeding mechanism for feeding the work relatively to the platen and the printing member and anism.

for cooperation with said ratchet, a'n'operator for the pawl, an oscillatory member mounted on the oscillatory shaft and having a link connection with the pawl operator, a member for cotiperation with the gaging means having connection with the oscillatory member, and a resilient connection between the platen operating mechanism and 1 the feeding mechanism. nection between the platen operating mech- 9. In a check Writing machine the combi nation with a casing having a check slot, a printing wheel arranged on one side of the slot and havin a plurality of lines of type thereon of di erent'lengths extending parallel' to the axis thereof and .a platen arranged on the other side of the slot, of operating mechanism for moving the platen to-' ward the printin whcel embodying a horizontally arrangu shaft,and' a. variable feed mechanism for moving the work in tired-imotion of the axis of the printing wheel ,relatively to the platen after each printing operation a distance corresponding to the length-of the word reviously printed embodying a feed mem er, a plurality-of stop shoulders turning with the printing wheel,

an oscillatory member mounted to'turn on said horizontally arranged shaft connected to the feed member and also having a connection engaging the stop shoulders, and a resilient connection between the platen operatin mechanism and the variable, feed mec amsm.

10a In a check writin machine, the combiaving a check slot, wheel arranged on one side of the thereon of di erent lengths extending parallel to the axis thereof and a 3 platen ar-' moving the platen away from the printing wheel, and variable feed mechanism 7 for moving the work in the direction of the axis of the printing wheel relatively to the platen after each printin operation a diszontally arranged shaft and a spring for tance corresponding to t e length of the wordpreviously printed embodying a feed member, a plurality of stop shoulders'moving with the printing member, an oscillatory member mounted to turn about the axis of the horizontal shaft parts carried by the shaft andth'e oscillatory member constructed to engage one with the other to move the member to normal position by the action of the spring, connection between the feed member and the oscillatory member, 00111100. tions whereby the stops control the movement of the oscillatory member, "and a. re-

silient connection between the gluten operat ing mechanism and the variab 11. The combination with a rinting 0 feed mach-,-

wheel and a, platen movable toward the printing whe'ael of mechanism for moving the platen, toward ;the*" printing ,Wheel, a

toothed wheeli moving "with the prihting wheel, a yieldingly mounted centering defvic'e cooperating with, the toothed wheel,

v v u A c opera-tin mechan sm into engagement with .the yiel lngly mountedfeenteringdeviee to lock the latter against movement when the platen moves toward the printing wheel.

1 2..- The' -oonibinatioii' witha, printingwheel land 'a pla'ten movable toward the printing wheel, of" mechanism for, moving I the platen toward the printing wheel emvbodying an oscillatory shaft, a'itoothed'wheel eonnectedto the printing wheel, a, yieldingly mounted slidelheving one end' cooperating ikoesvi with the toothed wheel to center the printing wheel, and a yieldingly mounted device ec- Qcentrically carried by the oscillatory shaft to coiiperate with the other end of the cen- "tering slide when the platen is moved toward the printing wheel.

i 13. The combination W 1th a differentially adjustable printing wheel,- of an: invw' riably moved prlnting platen co'perating therewith, a' toothed disk rigid with the printing wheel, a spring operated plunger paratory to printing; n

' CHARLES H. SAMPSON. 

